I Feel Alive

Tomorrow is a major milestone; three months post-surgery.

On June 20, 2013, Michelle & I travelled to Mexico where I received the Vertical Sleeve Gastrostomy (VSG) procedure. It has transformed my life. As of this morning, I am down 76.4 pounds. My waist has gone from a tight 44 to a comfortable 36. And, I continue to lose at reasonable rate of two or three pounds per week. My body is fully recovered. I can eat whatever I want to, just not very much. I find my ‘want to’ has changed. I eat much healthier and have even been known to actually spit something out if I decided it wasn’t worth the calories. I know that sounds gross, but it’s a long way from the kid who finished everything on his plate, and then went looking for more.  

I cannot overstate the positive impact this has had on my life. Michelle has said many times that the surgery was on my stomach, but the effect is in my mind. I feel alive and capable and optimistic like I haven’t felt in years. It’s funny; more people notice and comment on my attitude than on my weight loss.

If you have questions about Weight Loss Surgery or the journey I’m on, please ask. If you know of someone who might benefit from reading my blog, please pass it on. I’m not pushing weight loss surgery; it’s not for everyone. I speak of change. If you’re not happy with your station in life, change it. Problems don’t fix themselves and situations tend to deteriorate rather than improve.

It’s hard; I know it is. The first step is to look in the mirror and face down the truth.

There’s no sense going on. Until step one is accomplished, it’s all just conjecture. It doesn’t matter what people tell you; even those closest to you. It doesn’t even matter what you tell yourself, until you’re ready to be totally, brutally, honest. I used to jest that I was the fittest fat man you’d ever meet. Because of my previous fitness I had core strength and ability beyond my size. It was a hard day when I stared down the guy in the mirror and had to admit he wasn’t the fittest fat man. I was just fat.

That’s how it began. Where it ends, who knows? I can tell you this; the path chosen has exceeded my wildest dreams, and I’ve only just begun.